Datel FreeLoader (GameCube/Wii)

Sounds too good to be true? Well, there are a couple of catches, but they're only minor. Although all current games work with the disc there's the possibility that future ones won't. However, as long as you keep an eye on Datel's Web site you can find out about new versions of the disc to make sure you're as up-to-date as possible. Also, you'll need to use separate memory cards for Japanese and UK/US game data (see the product description below for more information). Oh, and you'll need at least a moderately new telly that can handle 60Hz and NTSC signals, but that really is it. Get FreeLoader and embrace the world of international gaming. --David Jenkins

If you have a PAL gamecube, then it will play American NTSC games no problem and at the speed the game was designed for (60hz). It is impossible for a PAL gamecube to output NTSC, but games will run at PAL 60. Therefore make sure your TV supports 60hz (NTSC compatible is not needed). Playing the NTSC games in PAL 60 is very sweet. Freeloader works flawless, with no slowdowns and displays games full screen.

The 2 page manual states a few ways for booting games, and says that almost every game should boot by just a straight swap of the disks. However, I found that nearly all my games needed a manual region select (by pressing Z button and selecting either the US, EU or JPN flags). However, thats just a small inconvience as the games run perfect once that is out of the way.

Another problem I've read about is if you have a imported JPN/US gamecube and want to play PAL games. Because PAL standard is 50hz, JPN/US gamecubes will output as NTSC 50 (does this even exist?). This results in most TV's displaying the game in black and white. There are two solutions, if the PAL game has a 60hz mode (hold B at bootup to activate) this should solve it. If the game doesn't have this then you will need to buy a modified RGB cable (the one for JPN/US, not the PAL one) which will then put it in full colour. Although these can be quite expensive...

Apart from these minor issues, Freeloader works great, and I'm happily playing many US games on my PAL gamecube... Now only a few weeks to wait for Zelda.... :)


Works well with WII but not the latest firmware update   August 19, 2007
A. R. BUNN (Pocklington, York, UK)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Works well until you upgrade the WII to the latest version of the firmware (version 3.0) when this version of freeloader will not work. BE WARNED
Apart from this, I have had NO problems with this on my WII running an NTSC version of Animal Crossing, it was worked 100% of the time.



A superb disc   May 20, 2004
Michael Holden (Oxford, UK)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I absolutely love the Freeloader, its so simple to use and should work with nearly all US & Japanese games. I must admit I only own 1 US Gamecube game but I still wanted to get the Freeloader just incase a title should come along and not get released in Europe (Animal Crossing being a prime example of this, at least for now). There are a few issues with Japanese memory cards and with their incompatability with formatting them etc but the instructions clearly state how to go about doing this. This is by far the best and easiest device I've ever come across that lets you play foreign games without the hassle of having to re-wire anything or tweak the inside of your console. I remember in the early days with the N64's import players in which you had to do the odd tweaking eher & there which totally put me off. But thanks to this ingenious device theres no worry of your Gamecube screwing up in any way.

My only slight gripe is when you've finished playing your game & when you go back to switch your gamecube on you have to constantly keep changing discs everytime you do that. But for a disc thats so simple to use and can work on nearly all Gamecube games, I dont see it as a major bother when you look at it in the long run.


Fabulous Freeloader   July 13, 2004
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Whilst on holiday in America, I was amazed to see how cheap GC games and accessories were. I bought 6 GC games and when I got back I ordered a Freeloader. All my 6 American import games work perfectly so i've saved lots of money and can play games that aren't even out in the UK. Freeloader is well worth the money and very simple to use. It gives the GC a high advantage over other consoles as the warranty is still intact. Don't hesitate - BUY IT!!!


... allows ANY region game, to be played on ANY Gamecube! ...   February 9, 2003
20 out of 28 found this review helpful

... let me tell you, it was worth the wait!
It is so easy to use. All you do is put the FreeLoader disc into the disc tray. Turn on the Gamecube. In about 5 seconds it prompts you to swap the disc with the import disc, you close the disc tray and hey presto! It loads in a matter of seconds!
There is no picture, colour, or sound distortion at all.
It allows ANy region game, to be played on ANY Gamecube! i.e. US or JAP games on PAL Gamecubes, or PAL games on JAP or US Gamecubes! That means no more waiting for games to come out in your region.
One slight problem: PAL and US games can be saved on the same memory card BUT saving a JAPENESE game will wipe the data. So you will need one memory card for PAL and US games, and one for Japenese games.